Environmental Performance

Munich Re Foundation – 2013 carbon footprint

Total CO2 emissions In 2013, Munich Re Foundation's total CO2 emissions amounted to approximately 1,700 tonnes. The largest proportion, just under 1,600 tonnes (94%), was caused by the foundation's events, as we offset the emissions generated by the return journeys of conference delegates. Emissions from office operations (electricity, heating) and own business trips were comparatively low, amounting to 36 tonnes (2 %) and 76 tonnes (4%) respectively.

The Foundation's total CO2 emissions for 2013 were a good 130 tonnes down on those of the previous year. The figures for business trips and office operations remained the same, the emissions for events increased considerably by an additional 120 tonnes of CO2. This was due to the microinsurance conference in Indonesia and the Summer Academy in Bangladesh.

The Foundation will purchase emission certificates to offset the emissions caused by its events. CO2 emissions from business trips made by Foundation staff and generated by its office activities will be offset by Munich Re.*

Fig. 2: Comparison of total CO2 emissions (t) from 2006 to 2013

CO2 emissions from events

Only the journeys undertaken by those attending events were taken into account to calculate the emissions from the events; the short-term occupancy of the rooms used for the events can be neglected. In comparison to 2012, the CO2 emissions caused by events increased by a good 120 tonnes.

Emissions from the International Microinsurance Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, at 1,400 tonnes, accounted for the largest percentage (88%). This is due to the long flights undertaken by the over 400 participants. The emissions for the Summer Academy have also increased: as we hosted the academy for the first time in Bangladesh, the flights of many participants were also longer. The CO2 emissions generated as a result came to just under 190 tonnes. The Dialogue Forums in Munich with a balance of three tonnes (0.2%) accounted for only a small proportion of the emissions, as the audience usually comes from the region.

Fig 3: Distribution of CO2 emissions from events

CO2 emissions from business operations

The CO2 balance for business operations (office and trips) is 112 tonnes: 36 tonnes CO2 for the offices (electricity and heat)* and 76 tonnes CO2 for business trips, chiefly flights**.

Fig 4: Distribution of CO2 emissions (t) from business operations

* Emissions produced by the foundation's office were based on a figure of 6 t CO2 per employee. This was established in a study undertaken by Munich Re in 2010, details of which can be seen in the 2010 corporate responsibility report.

** An RFI (Radiative Forcing Index) factor of 2.7 is applied to air travel. It is assumed that each journey by plane involves travelling a distance of 100 km to and from airports.